Russia Ran Secret Campaign to Topple Pro-Western Government in Moldova | Investigation

A New York Times investigation reveals a broad Russian operation to topple Moldova's pro-Western government, involving training violent cells, cyberattacks, vote buying, and recruiting hundreds of priests. The operation was run with the help of oligarch Ilan Shor, who enlisted over 150,000 citizens. The September 2025 elections ended in victory for Sandu's party after authorities curbed the interference.

An investigation published in the New York Times reveals a secret, wide-ranging Russian operation aimed at toppling Moldova's pro-Western government, blocking its accession to the European Union, and bringing it back into Moscow's sphere of influence. The operation included training cells for violent election interference, cyberattacks, vote buying, propaganda dissemination, and recruiting hundreds of Orthodox priests. As part of the operation, training camps were set up in Serbia, Bosnia, and outside Moscow, where Moldovan citizens were trained in breaching barriers, setting buildings on fire, and using assault rifles. Participants received $400 for a three-to-four-day course. At a camp outside Moscow, more than 100 young people trained in making incendiary devices and improvised explosives. Meanwhile, oligarch Ilan Shor, who lives in Russia, ran a network to recruit over 150,000 Moldovan citizens for vote buying and influencing public opinion. His people created 240 Telegram chatbots and promoted propaganda against President Maia Sandu and against EU accession. Leaked documents recorded payments of nearly $20 million to 38,000 activists. Russia also recruited hundreds of Orthodox priests, who were brought to Russia and signed contracts with a Russian bank. In exchange for about $1,000, they were asked to persuade their congregants to oppose EU accession. The operation peaked in the parliamentary elections on September 28, 2025, but Moldovan authorities, with Western assistance, curbed the interference. Sandu's party won just over 50% of the vote.